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Original poster

Stepmother of groom outfit needed

288 replies

mrsmogg · 13/02/2026 21:48

I feel like I am going round in circles trying to find the right look so hoping for some inspiration!
Summer wedding , church then marquee at the family home. Dress code is morning suits preferred so I need a hat too.

I am 40, size 10, 5'3 so would prefer midi length but I will get the dress tailored. Not yellow. I am brunette and fairly pale, jewel colours suit me. Would like something classy and contemporary, bonus points if I can wear it again for the races etc. budget up to £1000, would prefer to spend less and happy to buy on vinted etc as well.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
81
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 05:48

Pink, but not your average girly frock ...

https://joseph-fashion.com/products/joya-satin-twill-dress-pink-jf0096540851

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 05:50

You said you'd consider separates? What about this chiffon top with this skirt? Beautiful fabrics - I'd consider it topaz not yellow ...!!

https://www.natan.be/en/products/ss26/estate-nafas08

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 06:15

Not quite my thing, but definitely elegant.

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/roland-mouret-floral-applique-crepe-midi-dress-pink-p01104680

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 06:18

Jewel-toned if you count rose quartz ...!

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/leo-lin-floral-applique-embroidered-cocktail-dress-pink-p01121249

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 06:25

More pink, on white ...!!

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/leo-lin-zara-belted-printed-cotton-midi-dress-multicoloured-p01121236

I think his cut tends to be good for smaller women too.

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 06:30

Very pretty but with an edge.

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/leo-lin-bianca-floral-cotton-shirt-dress-pink-p01121137

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
Northumberlandisbest · 15/02/2026 06:34

Use the free personal shopper service at John Lewis, Hobbs or Phase Eight - other brands are available. Word to the wise, try not to outshine the grooms birth mother.

EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 06:35

Ignore the flip-flops as this is lovely. Sleeveless though so would need a jacket which would detract?

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/la-doublej/clothing/knee-length-dresses/maria-printed-silk-midi-dress/46376663162953515

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 06:41

I think this is lovely, but I suppose black is a no-no too ...?!!

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/simkhai/clothing/midi-dresses/jazz-embellished-cotton-blend-poplin-shirt-dress/46376663162946692

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
SeekingSchoolThoughts · 15/02/2026 06:46

mrsmogg · 14/02/2026 13:44

Thanks for all suggestions, I am going through them. Hadn't thought of separates, good shout,

Nothing wrong at all with LK Bennett and the like, but they tend to be more my work wear wardrobe rather than the striking look I'm looking for this time 😀

Will his mum be there? Either way, aiming for striking sounds pretty crass tbh. It’s not your day.

I’d stick with classy if I were you. Block colour, no patterns, very good quality fabric, well fitted not clingy, great accessories, great make up. You want to look back on the photos and not have your outfit age. Have the B&G given any indication of what they want, or have you asked?

But if you aim for too much then youll be making a point and people will notice… and probably not in a good way. Quite honestly I’d be looking through pictures of Katharine for inspiration… she nails it every time.

stillavid · 15/02/2026 06:47

I think the Aje dress that @EleanorMc67 posted is gorgeous. A friend has that style and it looks incredible and also a slightly less obvious choice fashion wise.

As most have said it is a little early for June wedding guest dresses to be in the shops.

Would agree a personal shopper would be a good idea in somewhere like Selfridges. Harvey Nichols is also very good now - I believe they have a new creative director and their curation was a lot more interesting the last time I went in.

EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 07:00

SeekingSchoolThoughts · 15/02/2026 06:46

Will his mum be there? Either way, aiming for striking sounds pretty crass tbh. It’s not your day.

I’d stick with classy if I were you. Block colour, no patterns, very good quality fabric, well fitted not clingy, great accessories, great make up. You want to look back on the photos and not have your outfit age. Have the B&G given any indication of what they want, or have you asked?

But if you aim for too much then youll be making a point and people will notice… and probably not in a good way. Quite honestly I’d be looking through pictures of Katharine for inspiration… she nails it every time.

Show quote history

Striking doesn't mean brash - & certainly not crass?

I'd agree with your other points & would also go for block colour personally - but I don't think patterns have to be ruled out.

It is going to be a "fashiony" wedding though, so I don't see why the OP can't meet the criteria of striking AND classic AND with a fashionable edge - all without outshining the MoB or the bride ...!

The fashionable edge part of that is, however, not a strong point of Kate/Catherine Middleton's outfits (assuming that's who you meant).

EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 07:02

SeekingSchoolThoughts · 15/02/2026 06:46

Will his mum be there? Either way, aiming for striking sounds pretty crass tbh. It’s not your day.

I’d stick with classy if I were you. Block colour, no patterns, very good quality fabric, well fitted not clingy, great accessories, great make up. You want to look back on the photos and not have your outfit age. Have the B&G given any indication of what they want, or have you asked?

But if you aim for too much then youll be making a point and people will notice… and probably not in a good way. Quite honestly I’d be looking through pictures of Katharine for inspiration… she nails it every time.

Show quote history

I did post separates by Natan though - a favourite of the Belgian royals ..!!

EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 07:07

Silk Roksanda - navy but far from dull.

https://roksanda.com/products/allura-dress

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 07:09

stillavid · 15/02/2026 06:47

I think the Aje dress that @EleanorMc67 posted is gorgeous. A friend has that style and it looks incredible and also a slightly less obvious choice fashion wise.

As most have said it is a little early for June wedding guest dresses to be in the shops.

Would agree a personal shopper would be a good idea in somewhere like Selfridges. Harvey Nichols is also very good now - I believe they have a new creative director and their curation was a lot more interesting the last time I went in.

Which Aje one? I think I posted four!!

SeekingSchoolThoughts · 15/02/2026 07:10

EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 07:00

Striking doesn't mean brash - & certainly not crass?

I'd agree with your other points & would also go for block colour personally - but I don't think patterns have to be ruled out.

It is going to be a "fashiony" wedding though, so I don't see why the OP can't meet the criteria of striking AND classic AND with a fashionable edge - all without outshining the MoB or the bride ...!

The fashionable edge part of that is, however, not a strong point of Kate/Catherine Middleton's outfits (assuming that's who you meant).

Show quote history

Yes thanks for picking up typo 🤣, my DS is a Katharine!

I just think it’s a fine line to tread. The fact that the op is already aiming for “striking” is indicative of wanting to outshine others and I just can’t see a world in which this ever really goes very well when your role is explicitly not to be centre of attention.

That said… to be helpful I am perusing Self Portrait and found this which is definitely striking but maybe too much…. With the right hat bag and shoes it could be stunning but she’d need to ask them if they were expecting her to wear a jacket. It’s not edgy but is stunning. I don’t think there will be many jewel colours around for summer - they’re more autum winter. That said, a muted colour in a gorgeous dress is much more likely to meet the classy brief without spilling over into crass. Sometimes I think the most striking people are the most understated yet elegant.

www.self-portrait.com/products/rs26-pink-rhinestone-lace-midi-dress

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